Shettima Yerima, the President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), has expressed deep concerns regarding the current tax reform bills being discussed by the National Assembly on behalf of the Federal Government. In an interview with Saturday Vanguard, Yerima outlined his frustrations with the government’s approach, which he believes is riddled with significant flaws such as insufficient consultation, lack of transparency, and minimal engagement with the public—issues that, according to him, are major obstacles to gaining the public’s support for the proposed reforms.
Yerima specifically addressed the opposition from the North towards the tax reform bills, stating, “The tax reform bills depend on how individuals or certain interests perceive them. But for us, the government could have done better. The idea was fine, drawing inferences from the situation in the country. Even if we are doing fine, no country ignores taxation.”
Shettima Yerima
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He elaborated on why the North appears to be opposed to the bills, saying, “This is one major area where they can generate funds for development. The presentation was one of the problems. The managers of the bills did not do well, which is why you see the reactions coming from the north as if the region is anti-tax reforms.”
He further clarified that the opposition wasn’t truly against tax reforms but rather against how the government presented and politicized the matter. “No. They brought the issue and politicised it, making it seem anti-north. The government can still do well by consulting, which is the first thing they should have done. Go through the National Assembly, and the elected representatives will now go back to their various constituencies to meet with their people.”
Yerima suggested that this consultative approach would ensure the bill receives the legitimate backing it deserves. He expressed his optimism, saying, “This way, the bill will enjoy the deserved legitimacy. I am happy that, at the end of the day, there is an understanding between the executive arm of government and the lawmakers. The lawmakers have also agreed to go back to their constituencies for further consultation. There are only a few grey areas I think they will amend and pass the bill. Certainly, the trouble it generated was unnecessary.”
